So far i would it rank with the other higher quality AAC encoders. I'm really surprised by this.

Based on what? Did you ABX?

I did some more tests, some ambient stuff had bit rates of 240 - 300k & one harsh noise track had a bit rate of 70k with a artifact. While another harsh noise album just breaks it with ugly artifacts even at 275k.

It's almost like they mostly ignored anything electronic music since there bit rates are all over the place at 160k VBR.